inStorebuyer - November 2012 - (Page 20)

4 Annual Sales: $18 billion Number of Stores: 335 Store Banners: H-E-B, H-E-B Plus, Central Market Address: 646 S. Main Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78204 Phone: 210-938-8000 Web: www.heb.com Key Personnel: Mike Eardley, director of deli, cheese and prepared foods; Alex Sakhel, VP of bakery, Sebastian Milano, food service director at Central Market-HEB H-E-B When H-E-B’s Central Market opened in Dallas in 2002, it revolutionized the way Dallas shoppers and foodies thought about grocery shopping. Ten years after opening its doors to hungry fans, the Dallas Lovers Lane Central Market celebrated its first decade with four days and nights dedicated to reliving the excitement of those first days in operation at the corner of Lovers Lane and Greenville Avenue. The Dallas 10th Anniversary celebration featured a visit from superstar chef Cat Cora, host of Bravo’s Around the World in 80 Plates. The chef signed copies of her cookbooks and then taught a class at Central Market’s cooking school. On Sept. 21, the store hosted a two-hour “stroll around-style” food and wine tasting, during which attendees sampled two dozen bites and sips of locally made products, meats, cheeses, sweets and specialties from the chef’s case, while enjoying live music. The evening concluded with a glass of champagne in the cooking school where guests decorated two chocolate truffl es with a variety of fi nishing options. Each attendee received a loaded goodie bag. Since H-E-B founded its “foodie” store concept in 1994 in Austin, TX, Central Market has grown to nine locations, including two stores in Austin, one in Houston, and one in San Antonio. Customers celebrate the chain for its innovative approach to merchandising and promotions. A recent cheese promotion featured a “Hail to the Cheese” vote in which loyal shoppers voted for their favorite kind (brie won with 46% of the vote). Central Market’s newest Preston Royal store in Dallas, TX, opened Feb. 15. Like all Central Markets, the innovative destination supermarket is designed with foodies in mind. Bakery and deli products include artisan breads and desserts, house-made bialys, a custom sandwich bar and expanded New York-style deli products. Daily specials include flavorful meringue cookies filled with freshly made buttercream and chef-prepared latkes in flavor options such as zucchini or sweet potato. At 30,000 sq ft, the supermarket is roughly half the size of a typical Central Market. “This is the newest generation of our Central Market brand, with many new possibilities to re-imagine what we already do well: Create the world’s most fun and exciting food shopping experience, in a store that doubles as a community gathering space,” says Stephen Butt, senior vice president of Central Market, about H-E-B’s plans to redefine the shopping experience. | 20 | inStorebuyer | November 2012 | http://www.heb.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of inStorebuyer - November 2012

inStorebuyer - November 2012
Editor's Note - Innovation & Information
Table of Contents
Front line news - RBA Roadshow in Chicago
Cedar’s Launches T.G.I.FRIDAY’S Dips
Meiko Launches Unique Washer
Stop & Shop Opens LEED Store
The Innovators
Profiles - Ahold USA
Profiles - Walmart
Profiles - Safeway
Profiles - H-E-B
Profiles - Trader Joe's
Profiles - Wegmans
Profiles - Whole Foods Market
Profiles - Giant Eagle
Profiles - Hy-Vee
Profiles - Target
Profiles - Publix
Profiles - Kroger
Profiles - Schnucks
Profiles - Fresh & Easy
Profiles - Kings Food Markets
Profiles - The Fresh Market
Profiles - Harris Teeter
Profiles - Roundy's
Profiles - Meijer
Profiles - Fairway Market
Profiles - United Supermarkets
Profiles - Brookshire Grocery
Profiles - Cavier & Bananas
Product Trends
Product Showcase
Marketplace Network

inStorebuyer - November 2012